Article display and storage structure

ABSTRACT

An article display and storage structure includes a display and storage portion adapted to receive and display articles particularly adapted for personal hygiene use by a plurality of individuals, such as oral spray devices, using gas producing elements and liquid in a container with an elongated jet nozzle, and a cover member removably mounted on the display and storage portion which has a plurality of walls extending from a base portion and defining a plurality of open top compartments each adapted to receive and support therein respective articles. The walls terminate in an upper deck having a plurality of recesses therein each adapted to receive for storage therein a respective one of a plurality of similar articles.

United States Patent 1 1 1 1 3,874,506

Hill et al. Apr. 1, 1975 [54] ARTICLE DISPLAY AND STORAGE 3,578,8845/1971 Jacobson 128/66 X STRUCTURE 3,583,609 6/1971 OppenheimerZZZ/402.25 [75] Inventors: ga E m 5 i Brim" Primary ExaminerLeonardSummer awnee ission, 0 0 ans.

[73] Assignee: Allied Industries of Kansas, Inc., [57] ABSTRACTEdgerton, Kans- An article display and storage structure includes a dis-[22] Filed; Oct. 24 1972 play and storage portion adapted to receive anddisplay articles particularly adapted for personal hygiene PP 299,795use by a plurality of individuals, such as oral spray devices, using gasproducing elements and liquid in a 52 us. c1. 206/229, 128/66 Containerwith a elongated 1 "01116, and a cover 51 Int. c1. B65d 79/00, A6lh 9/00member removablymoumed on the display and Stor- [58] Field of Search206/16 R, 1 R, 229, 369; age Portion which has a plurality of Wallsextending from a base portion and defining a plurality of open 128/66,132/84 R, 84 D, 15/22, 320/2 top compartments each adapted to receiveand sup- [56] References Cited port therein respective articles. Thewalls terminate in UNITED STATES PATENTS an upper deck having aplurality of recesses therein each adapted to receive for storagetherein a respecgtanlton tive one of a plurality of Similar articles p0r v 3,292,885 12/1966 Stephens et al 320/2 X 4 Claims, 5 Drawing FiguresI I! 1 H l I l l E l g l i i -ll y L A 1 1 minno H SHEET 1 BF 2I/I/I/I/I I I AIENI APR' 1 1975 Hum ARTICLE DISPLAY AND STORAGESTRUCTURE The present invention relates to structures for displaying andstoring articles used for personal hygiene and more particularly to suchan article display and storage structure adapted to receive and displayarticles particularly adapted for personal hygiene use by a plurality ofindividuals, such as oral spray devices, power toothbrushes, and thelike.

The principal objects of the present invention are: to provide anarticle display and storage structure adapted to display and storearticles adapted for personal hygiene use by a plurality of individuals.such as oral spray devices. and the like; to provide such an articledisplay and storage structure having a plurality of compartments whereinone of the compartments is adapted to receive for storage therein anelongated article, such as an oral spray device; to provide such anarticle display and storage structure particularly adapted to receive.display and store an oral spray device such as shown and described inU.S. Letters Pat. No. 3.583.609; issued June 8. l97l; to Robert H.Oppenheimer; for a Dispensing Device Useable as an Oral Spray; toprovide such an article display and storage structure having recessestherein each adapted to receive for storage therein a respective one ofa plurality of similar articles, such as spray tips for oral spraydevices. and similar attachments; to provide such an article display andstorage structure wherein at least one other of the compartments isadapted to receive for storage therein a stack of a plurality ofpackages each having a tablet therein for use in an oral spray device;to provide such an article display and storage structure wherein oneofthe compartments is adapted to support an elongated article in aninverted position for preparation of same for use such as beingpositioned to receive a tablet in an oral spray device, batteries forpower units and the like; to provide such an article display and storagestructure having a cover member removably mounted thereon to enclose thearticles stored within said compartments and recesses and wherein thecover member is substantially dust proof; and to provide such an articledisplay and storage sturcture which is attractive in appearance, stablein design, durable in use, economical to manufacture, and particularlywell adapted for the proposed use.

Other objects and advantages of this invention will become apparent fromthe following description taken in connection with the accompanyingdrawings wherein are set forth by way ofillustration and example certainembodiments of this invention.

The drawings constitute a part of this specification and include anexemplary embodiment of the present invention and illustrate variousobjects and features of the article display and storage structure.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an article display and storage structureembodying features of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view with portions broken avvay toshow an article receiving recess.

FIG. 3 is a transverse sectional view taken on line 3-3, FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a transverse sectional view taken on line 44. FIG. 2.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the article display and storagestructure with an article shown therein in an inverted position duringpreparation for use.

Referring more in detail to the drawings:

As required, detailed embodiments of the present invention are disclosedherein, however, it is to be understood that the disclosed embodimentsare merely exemplary of the invention which may be embodied in variousforms. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosedherein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a basis forthe claims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in theart to variously employ the present invention in virtually anyappropriate detailed structure.

In the disclosed embodiment of the present invention, the referencenumeral 1 generally designates an article display and storage structureadapted to receive and display articles particularly adapted forpersonal hygiene use by a plurality of individuals. The article displayand storage structure includes a display and storage portion 2 adaptedto receive and display articles particularly adapted for personalhygiene use by a plurality of individuals, such as oral spray devices,and the like and a cover member 3 removably mounted on the display andstorage portion 2 which has a plurality of walls, as latter described,extending from a base portion and defining a plurality of open topcompartments each adapted to receive and support therein respectivearticles. The walls terminate in an upper deck 4 having a plurality ofrecesses 5 therein each adapted to receive for storage therein arespective one of a plurality of articles.

The display and storage portion 2 has a base portion 6 defined by sidewalls 7 and 8 and end walls 9 and 10 suitably connected together asbeing integrally formed to provide a substantially rigid base portion .6for the display and storage portion 2.

The walls extending from the base portion 6 defining the plurality ofopen top compartments which may be arranged in any desired manner.However, the illus- 'trated structure has a bottom wall 11 extendingbetween upper edges of the side walls 7 and 8 and the end walls 9 and 10thereby closing a lower end of the plurality of compartments. Laterallyspaced side walls 12 and 13 and end walls 14 and 15 extend upwardly fromthe bottom wall 11. The display and storage portion 2 may have anydesired number of compartments, however, the illustrated structureincludes intermediate walls 16 and 17 extending upwardly from the bottomwall 11 and between the side walls 12 and 13 thereby defining a centercompartment 18 and end compartments 19 and 20.

The illustrated end compartments 19 and 20 are particularly adapted forstoring a plurality of packages of articles therein. It is desirable toprovide access to said end compartment l9.and 20 for easy removal of thepackages therein. Therefore, passages 21 and 22 are formed in respectiveportions of one of the side walls, for example, side wall 12 definingthe end compartment l9 and 20 respectively. It is also desirable thatthe passages 20 and 21 extend the full depth of the end compartments 19and 20 whereby the last article or package therein may be removed fromthe respective end compartment.

The end compartments l9 and 20 may be any desired shape in plan and intransverse cross-section. However, the illustrated compartments aregenerally rectangular in plan and transverse cross-section toaccommodate generally rectangular packages 23 of articles, such as atablet to be used in an oral spray device.

The center compartment 18 may be any desired shape conforming to anarticle to be received therein and in the illustrated structure, thecentral compartment 18 is generally cylindrical and generally circularin transverse cross-section to receive an elongated gen- 'erallycylindrical article 24 therein.

The bottom wall 11 has an enlarged portion within the center compartment18 defining an upper shoulder 25 adapted to support a base end of theelongated arti' cle 24 during storage and display. The bottom wall 11within the center compartment 18 has a first recess 26 therein defininga shoulder 27 with the first recess 26 being adapted to receive an otherend of the elongated article 24 therein and support same on the shoulder27. The wall 11 also has a second recess 28 within the first recess 26with the second recess 28 being adapted to receive a cap 29 on theelongated article 24.

The side wall 12 also has a passage 30 therein adapted to permit aprojection 31 of the elongated article 24 to extend outwardly from thedisplay and storage portion 2 when the elongated article 24 is receivedand supported within the first recess 26.

The cover member 3 may be any desired shape sufficient to enclose theelongated article 24 and attachments therefor stored for display in thedisplay and storage portion 2. The illustrated cover member 3 has sidewalls 32 and 33 positioned adjacent the side walls 12 and 13respectively of the display and storage portion 2 and end walls 34 and35 positioned adjacent the end walls 14 and 15 respectively of thedisplay and storage portion 2. The side walls 32 and 33 and the endwalls 34 and 35 each have a lower edge engaging and supported on thebottom wall 11. The cover member 3 has a top wall 36 extending betweenupper edges of the side walls 32 and 33 and the end walls 34 and 35.

It is desirable to provide a gripping portion 37 on the cover member 3,therefore, respective portions of the top wall 36 and the side wall 32and 33 are extended upwardly to define the gripping portion 37 and an enlarged space adapted to receive therein one end of the elongated article24.

The cover member 3 is preferably transparent to permit easyidentification of the articles stored within the article display andstorage structure 1 and the cover member 3 is preferably formed of asuitable synthetic resinous material for durability and lightness inweight.

The display and storage portion 2 is also formed of a synthetic resinousmaterial and may be molded for economy in construction. The display andstorage portion 2 may be any suitable color as desired.

In using an article display and storage structure constructed asillustrated and described, the cover member 3 is removed from thedisplay and storage portion 2 to permit removal of the elongated article24 and the preparation thereof for use as by inverting the article sothat the cap 29 is received within the second recess 28 within thecenter compartment 18. A cap 38 is removed from the lower end of theelongated article 24 to permit a suitable tablet taken from one of thepackages 23 to be placed in the elongated article 24 and a suitableattachment placed on the projection 31 of the article 24 therebypreparing same for use by an individual.

It is to be understood that while I have illustrated and described oneform of my invention, it is not to be limited to the specific form orarrangement of parts herein described and shown.

What we claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent l. A display andstorage structure for a liquid discharge apparatus comprising:

a. a base portion;

b. walls extending from said base portion and arranged to define sidesand a bottom of a plurality of compartments, one of said compartmentsbeing adapted to receive for storage therein a liquid dischargeapparatus having a liquid chamber therein and one end with a removableend portion for filling of said chamber and the other end with adischarge nozzle extending generally laterally outward therefrom, saidwalls terminating in an upper deck;

0. one of the walls defining the bottom of said one compartment forsupporting engagement of said one end of the liquid discharge apparatuswith said discharge nozzle thereof above said upper deck;

d. said one wall defining the bottom of said one compartment having aportion with downwardly recessed surfaces for supporting engagement withthe other end of said liquid discharge apparatus, said recessed surfacescooperating with the compartment sides thereabove in holding said liquiddischarge apparatus inverted in the compartment in chamber fillingposition with the removable end portion upwardly and above the upperdeck;

e. one of the walls defining a side of said one compartment having apassage therethrough for receiving the nozzle when the dischargeapparatus is supported in inverted position in said one compartment.

2. A display and storage structure for an elongated discharge apparatusand activating articles used therein comprising:

a. a base portion:

b. walls extending from said base portion and ar ranged to define sidesand a bottom of at least two vertically elongate open top compartments,said walls terminating in an upper deck, at least one of saidcompartments being adapted to receive for storage therein an elongateddischarge apparatus, at least one other of said compartments beingadapted to receive for storage therein a plurality of activatingarticles for use by the elongated discharge apparatus, said elongatecompartments being of less length than the elongated discharge apparatusand a portion of said apparatus extends from said one compartment whenpositioned therein;

c. one of the walls defining the bottom of the one of said compartmentsof said plurality of compartments for supporting engagement of one endof the elongated discharge apparatus, said one end of said dischargeapparatus being larger than the other end thereof;

(1. said one wall defining the bottom of said one compartment havingsurfaces defining a recess therein for receiving in supportingengagement the other end of the elongated discharge apparatus with saidrecess surfaces and said one wall cooperating with side walls of the onecompartment to support said elongated discharge apparatus in an invertedposition;

e. one of the walls defining a side of said one compartment having apassage therethrough for the length of said compartment for a projectionon the elongated discharge apparatus to extend from said one compartmentwhen the elongated discharge apparatus is inverted and supported on theother end thereof in said one compartment;

f. a cover member removably mounted on said base portion and enclosingsaid compartments and apparatus and articles stored therein.

a 3 wherein: 3. A display and storage structure for an oral spray a.certain of said walls each have an elongated pasdevice havlnga hollowbody for gas producillg 61.6- 10 sage therethrough for access to thepackages havment and liquid and an elongated et nozzle for et (115- mg agas producing element therein, charge of said i Sald Structure compnsmg:b. one of the walls defining the bottom of the one of a base saidcompartments is adapted to support thereon a b. walls extending fromsaid base portion and arbottom of the y of the oral p y device ringed todefine Sides and a bottorfn plurality c said one wall defining thebottom of said one com- 0 open top compartments, one 0 Sat compartmentsbeing adapted to receive forstorage therein partmetnttgas l f s g g i f2:: a hollow body of an oral spray device, at least one Suppor Op 0 e oy 0 e a other of said compartments being adapted to red Spray g E d f dceive for storage therein a plurality of packages i an r 0 t e e mmg Salone p having a gas producing element therein, said one mem has an f fPassage therethfough other of said compartments having access topackadapted to p f prolectlon on F y of the ages thergin tl'lilrough atleast one of said ffiSpiCtlVe Oral t p l l y al to fi i g g Sald Q d pwa s, sai wa s terminating in an upper ec men w en 6 opo e I o y lSreceive an supc. a plurality of recesses in said upper deck each portedwithin the recess in said one wall defining adapted to receive forstorage therein a respective the bottom of said one compartment. one ofa plurality of tubular spray tips for the oral

1. A display and storage structure for a liquid discharge apparatuscomprising: a. a base portion; b. walls extending from said base portionand arranged to define sides and a bottom of a plurality ofcompartments, one of said compartments being adapted to receive forstorage therein a liquid discharge apparatus having a liquId chambertherein and one end with a removable end portion for filling of saidchamber and the other end with a discharge nozzle extending generallylaterally outward therefrom, said walls terminating in an upper deck; c.one of the walls defining the bottom of said one compartment forsupporting engagement of said one end of the liquid discharge apparatuswith said discharge nozzle thereof above said upper deck; d. said onewall defining the bottom of said one compartment having a portion withdownwardly recessed surfaces for supporting engagement with the otherend of said liquid discharge apparatus, said recessed surfacescooperating with the compartment sides thereabove in holding said liquiddischarge apparatus inverted in the compartment in chamber fillingposition with the removable end portion upwardly and above the upperdeck; e. one of the walls defining a side of said one compartment havinga passage therethrough for receiving the nozzle when the dischargeapparatus is supported in inverted position in said one compartment. 2.A display and storage structure for an elongated discharge apparatus andactivating articles used therein comprising: a. a base portion: b. wallsextending from said base portion and arranged to define sides and abottom of at least two vertically elongate open top compartments, saidwalls terminating in an upper deck, at least one of said compartmentsbeing adapted to receive for storage therein an elongated dischargeapparatus, at least one other of said compartments being adapted toreceive for storage therein a plurality of activating articles for useby the elongated discharge apparatus, said elongate compartments beingof less length than the elongated discharge apparatus and a portion ofsaid apparatus extends from said one compartment when positionedtherein; c. one of the walls defining the bottom of the one of saidcompartments of said plurality of compartments for supporting engagementof one end of the elongated discharge apparatus, said one end of saiddischarge apparatus being larger than the other end thereof; d. said onewall defining the bottom of said one compartment having surfacesdefining a recess therein for receiving in supporting engagement theother end of the elongated discharge apparatus with said recess surfacesand said one wall cooperating with side walls of the one compartment tosupport said elongated discharge apparatus in an inverted position; e.one of the walls defining a side of said one compartment having apassage therethrough for the length of said compartment for a projectionon the elongated discharge apparatus to extend from said one compartmentwhen the elongated discharge apparatus is inverted and supported on theother end thereof in said one compartment; f. a cover member removablymounted on said base portion and enclosing said compartments andapparatus and articles stored therein.
 3. A display and storagestructure for an oral spray device having a hollow body for a gasproducing element and liquid and an elongated jet nozzle for jetdischarge of said liquid, said structure comprising: a. a base portion;b. walls extending from said base portion and arranged to define sidesand a bottom of a plurality of open top compartments, one of saidcompartments being adapted to receive for storage therein a hollow bodyof an oral spray device, at least one other of said compartments beingadapted to receive for storage therein a plurality of packages having agas producing element therein, said one other of said compartmentshaving access to packages therein through at least one of saidrespective walls, said walls terminating in an upper deck; c. aplurality of recesses in said upper deck each adapted to receive forstorage therein a respective one of a plurality of tubular spray tipsfor the oral spray device; and d. a cover member removably mounted onsaid base portion and enclosing said compartments and the hollow body ofthe orAl spray device and the packages having a gas producing elementtherein and the tubular spray tips in said recesses.
 4. A display andstorage structure as set forth in claim 3 wherein: a. certain of saidwalls each have an elongated passage therethrough for access to thepackages having a gas producing element therein; b. one of the wallsdefining the bottom of the one of said compartments is adapted tosupport thereon a bottom of the body of the oral spray device; c. saidone wall defining the bottom of said one compartment has a recesstherein shaped to receive and support therein the top of the body of theoral spray device; and d. an other of the walls defining said onecompartment has an elongated passage therethrough adapted to permit aprojection on the body of the oral spray device to extend from said onecompartment when the top of the body is received and supported withinthe recess in said one wall defining the bottom of said one compartment.